This is part four of a quick six-pack of fishing solutions that often work for myself and others. Part four touched on fishing muskie with topwater presentations. Check out the links to the other five fishing solutions at the end of each segment at the bottom of this article.
SPEED RETRIEVES & SPEED TROLLING:
In the warmer waters of summer, often something that will trigger and turn a very lazy follow to suddenly aggressive, or turn quiet trolling reels into noisy ones is ... speed.
Like anything, it’s not always what the fish want, but very often, muskie anglers simply aren’t going fast enough to trigger reactions from muskies. The idea is simply to make them (muskies) think they’ll have no choice if they don’t react now. Those who regularly cast for muskies know of their propensity to follow with a snobby look in their eye.
Speed takes away their ability to calmly watch, knowing they can catch the prey if they choose. Faster retrieves will often trigger right on the spot, especially with fish hiding in structure, and I have seen it many times with my own eyes where a speed up with a following fish suddenly makes it lunge and strike.
Another method that produces fish in the summer months is speed trolling. And often, fairly short-line speed trolling in very shallow ranges. Muskies are not at all afraid of boats or motors, especially something moving steadily. Trolling crankbaits or spinnerbaits at higher speeds of 4.5 to 7 mph can be very effective.
Part 1: Summer Muskie Drought: Night Fishing
Part 2: Summer Muskie Drought: Windy Conditions
Part 3: Summer Muskie Drought: Fishing the Open Water
Part 4: Summer Muskie Drought: Topwater Presentations
Part 6: Summer Muskie Drought: Fishing Lures
Note: If you have questions or comments on this or other articles of mine you may have read, contact me through the website The Next Bite
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